Collapsible Foldable Expandable Drying Rack

ABSTRACT

A drying clothes rack having first and second scissor frames, said scissor frames having a collapsed position and an extended position. A plurality of rods extending longitudinally between the first and second scissor frames and having opposite ends attached to brackets mounted on the frames. Each rod being configured to include a first hollow rod segment sized to slidably receive a second rod segment and an O-ring positioned at one end of the first rod segment to provide a frictionally fit between the two rod segments, whereby each rod is adjustable longitudinally such that the width between the first and second scissor frames is expandable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a drying clothes rack and, moreparticularly, to a collapsible foldable expandable drying clothes rack.

DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART

Drying clothes racks are well known and used extensively for dryinglaundry and other type of items. Collapsible clothes-drying racks areformed from a pair of scissors type frame members with rods extendingbetween the frame members. These collapse into a rectangular structure,which can be stored. Even in the collapsed state. The prior art racksare also typically fixed longitudinally between the two scissor typeframe members. It is a desire to provide such a rack that is collapsibleand foldable but also one that is expandable such that thelongitudinally length between the two scissor type frame members can beadjusted easily and without issues.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a collapsible foldable expandabledrying clothes rack. The drying clothes rack has a pair of scissor typeframe members and a plurality of adjustable rods connecting the twoframe members to each other, such that the drying clothes rack canexpand along its longitudinally length.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention,reference should be made to the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the erected clothes rack;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the collapsed clothes rack;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the erected clothes rack, with the rackpartially expanded longitudinally between the two scissor frames;

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the erected clothes rack, with the rackfully expanded longitudinally between the two scissor frames;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the erected clothes rack with a few ofthe rods exploded away from the scissor frames;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of one of the adjustable rods and thefastening components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the several views of the drawings, the present invention isa collapsible foldable drying clothes rack 100, which includes opposedscissor frame members 102 and 104, which are connected to each other bya plurality of adjustable and expandable rods 106.

The scissors frame members 102 and 104 are formed from a plurality ofarms, which are connected at their midpoints and their distal ends. Moreparticularly, as shown with frame member 102, first and second arms 128a and 130 b are rotatably connected at a midpoint by a connector 134 a,such as a nut/bolt, a rivet, or pin. The distal ends 136 a and 138 a ofarms 128 a and 130 a respectively are then connected to the lower ends140 a and 142 a of arms 144 a and 146 a by connectors 147 a and 149 a.Arms 144 a and 146 a are, in turn, rotatably connected at their midpointby a connector 148 a, and rotatably connected to frame members 150 a and152 a by connectors 154 a and 156 a. Arms 150 a and 152 a are connectedat their midpoint by connector 158 a. Arm 152 a is connected to ahorizontal top arm 160 a by a connector 161 a. Horizontal top arm 160 areleasably attaches about the upper end 162 a of arm 150 a by a fastener164 a.

Likewise, frame member 104 includes first and second arms 128 b and 130b, which are rotatably connected by a connector 134 b, such as anut/bolt, a rivet, or pin. The upper ends 136 b and 138 b of arms 128 band 130 b are then connected to the lower ends 140 b and 142 b of arms144 b and 146 b. Arms 144 b and 146 b are, in turn, rotatably connectedat their midpoint by a connector 148 b and rotatably connected to arms150 b and 152 b. Finally, the arms 150 b and 152 b are connected attheir midpoint by a connector 158 b. Arm 152 b is connected to ahorizontal top arm 160 b by connector 161 b. Horizontal top arm 160 breleasably attaches about the upper end 162 b of arm 150 b by a fastener164 b.

Fastener 164 a/164 b may be further defined by having a hook 166 a/166 bthat secures onto a knob 168 a/168 b extending inwardly from the insidesurface of the upper end of the arms 162 a/162 b

As noted, opposite ends 106 a and 106 b of the plurality of rods 106 areconnected to the scissors frame members 102 and 104 by brackets 170.This can be accomplished by placing a hook or u-shaped bracket 170 onthe frame members 102 and having knobs 168 on each end of the rods 106which frictionally fit into the u-shaped bracket 170.

Each of the rods 106 includes a first hollow rod segment 180 with acavity sized to slidably receive a second rod segment 182. An O-ring 184is positioned at one end 180 b of the first rod segment 180 that isfacing to receive the second rod segment 182. The O-ring 184 ispreferably rubber to assist in providing a frictionally fit between thetwo rod segments. This allows the user to adjust the rod segments to aparticular length and helps set the lengths in in place until the userre-adjusts the rod segments.

The draying rack therefore is capable of collapsing and folding as atypically drying clothes rack and also is configured to expand andadjust longitudinally between the two frame members.

As defined herein there is provided in one embodiment a collapsiblefoldable rack having first and second scissor frames. The scissor frameshaving a collapsed position and an extended position. The rack furtherincludes a plurality of rods extending longitudinally between the firstand second scissor frames and having opposite ends attached to bracketsmounted on said first and second scissor frames, and wherein each rod ofthe plurality of rods are configured to be adjustable along thelongitudinal axis. Adjusting the longitudinal axis of the rods asprovided in various embodiments, can be achieved in one embodiment byproviding a first hollow rod segment sized to slidably receive a secondrod segment, an O-ring positioned at one end of the first rod segmentthat is facing to receive the second rod segment to provide africtionally fit between the two rod segments, whereby each rod isadjustable longitudinally such that the width between the first andsecond scissor frames is expandable.

While the instant invention has been shown and described in accordancewith a preferred and practical embodiment thereof, it is recognized thatdepartures from the instant disclosure are contemplated within thespirit and scope of the present invention.

1. A collapsible foldable rack comprising: first and second scissorframes, said scissor frames having a collapsed position and an extendedposition, each said scissor frame comprising a first and second scissorframe member; and a plurality of rods extending longitudinally betweensaid first and second scissor frames and having opposite ends attachedto brackets mounted on said first and second scissor frames, and whereineach rod of the plurality of rods are configured to have: a first hollowrod segment sized to slidably receive a second rod segment, an O-ringpositioned at one end of the first rod segment that is facing to receivethe second rod segment to provide a frictionally fit between the two rodsegments, whereby each rod is adjustable longitudinally such that thewidth between the first and second scissor frames is expandable, andwherein the first and second scissor frames each separately include ahorizontal too arm and wherein the plurality of rods include a pluralityof top rods extending longitudinally between the horizontal top arms,and each of the plurality of top rods include knobs on said oppositeends, and the horizontal top arms includes U-shaped receiving bracketsconfigured to removably receive the knobs of the plurality of top rodssuch that the plurality of top rods are removably secured to thehorizontal top arms.
 2. A collapsible foldable rack comprising: firstand second scissor frames, said scissor frames having a collapsedposition and an extended position; and a plurality of rods extendinglongitudinally between said first and second scissor frames and havingopposite ends attached to brackets mounted on said first and secondscissor frames, and wherein each rod of the plurality of rods isadjustable along its longitudinal axis whereby the width between thefirst and second scissor frames is expandable, and wherein the first andsecond scissor frames each separately include a horizontal top arm andwherein the plurality of rods include a plurality of top rods extendinglongitudinally between the horizontal top arms, and each of theplurality of top rods include knobs on said opposite ends, and thehorizontal top arms includes U-shaped receiving brackets configured toremovably receive the knobs of the plurality of top rods such that theplurality of top rods are removably secured to the horizontal top arms.